Rhode Island to Michigan Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 892 miles from Rhode Island to Michigan falls between $818 and $1,308. Delivery typically takes two–seven days. The timeline can vary based on the type of transport you opt for and the time of year. To get a tailored quote, check out our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Michigan to Rhode Island car shipping guide.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best Rhode Island to Michigan car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Rhode Island to Michigan:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- Door-to-door service
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
- New customer discount
- White-glove service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Top local car shippers in Rhode Island
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Rhode Island who can get your vehicle to Michigan:
- Beacon Shipping Logistics Inc: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- Virginia Transportation Corp: 3.76 out of 5 stars
- East Coast Auto Transport: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- United Road Services: Davisville: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Natales Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Beacon Shipping Logistics Inc
25 Messenger Dr, Warwick, RI 02888 US
beaconshippinglogistics.com
3.8 / 5.0
Beacon Shipping Logistics has garnered mixed reviews from customers. Many praise the company for its excellent communication, responsiveness, and timely delivery, often highlighting the professionalism of team members like John and Matt. However, some customers reported negative experiences, specifically citing issues with rude staff, lack of accountability for damage, and dissatisfaction with pricing structures.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2268269
Virginia Transportation Corp
141 James P Murphy Ind Hwy, West Warwick, RI 2893 US
virginiatransportation.com
3.76 / 5.0
The company has provided a range of experiences for customers and employees. Positive feedback highlights effective communication and professionalism, while negative comments focus on invasive practices and logistical issues.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Multi-car transport
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 643760
East Coast Auto Transport
111 Amaral St, Riverside, RI 02915 US
eastcoastautotransport.com
3.58 / 5.0
East Coast Auto Transport receives commendation for their professional service, timely delivery, and effective communication from many satisfied customers. However, significant frustration arises from reports of poor customer service, vehicle damage complaints, and concerns regarding delays and lack of communication regarding transport statuses.
Services Offered
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Electric vehicles
Discounts
- Military
- Student
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1625076
United Road Services: Davisville
40 Thompson Rd, North Kingstown, RI 02852 US
unitedroad.com
3.5 / 5.0
United Road Services generally offers excellent customer service, friendly representatives, and good vehicle care. However, they face criticism for poor communication, unreliable delivery times, and issues with the quality of their subcontracted drivers, leading to frustration among many customers.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- Motorcycles
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2234402
Natales Transport
2708 S County Trl East, East Greenwich, RI 02818 US
natalestransport.com
3.5 / 5.0
Customers express strong praise for the professionalism and timely service of Natale’s Transport, highlighting Rob Natale’s reliability. However, some reviewers raise serious concerns about delays in payment and label the service as a scam.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- ATVs
- Motorcycles
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1569601
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
Alternative ways to ship your car from Rhode Island to Michigan
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Rhode Island for a move to Michigan, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 892 miles on your car to travel between Rhode Island and Michigan. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from Rhode Island to Michigan for you. This option could be a very costly one and involves trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
Ship by train
If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
Rhode Island to Michigan auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Rhode Island and Michigan. The average journey covers about 892 miles and takes roughly two to seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Providence, RI to Michigan
| From Rhode Island to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, RI to Detroit, MI | $759 – $1,094 | 700 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Providence, RI to Grand Rapids, MI | $796 – $1,239 | 830 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Providence, RI to Warren, MI | $790 – $1,083 | 703 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Providence, RI to Sterling Heights, MI | $725 – $1,147 | 699 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Providence, RI to Ann Arbor, MI | $800 – $1,138 | 743 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Warwick, RI to Michigan
| From Rhode Island to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warwick, RI to Detroit, MI | $743 – $1,083 | 712 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Warwick, RI to Grand Rapids, MI | $836 – $1,215 | 841 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Warwick, RI to Warren, MI | $782 – $1,172 | 714 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Warwick, RI to Sterling Heights, MI | $743 – $1,105 | 711 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Warwick, RI to Ann Arbor, MI | $785 – $1,214 | 787 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cranston, RI to Michigan
| From Rhode Island to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cranston, RI to Detroit, MI | $813 – $1,083 | 704 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Cranston, RI to Grand Rapids, MI | $820 – $1,275 | 834 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Cranston, RI to Warren, MI | $798 – $1,094 | 707 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Cranston, RI to Sterling Heights, MI | $790 – $1,172 | 703 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Cranston, RI to Ann Arbor, MI | $753 – $1,195 | 747 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Pawtucket, RI to Michigan
| From Rhode Island to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawtucket, RI to Detroit, MI | $736 – $1,138 | 703 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Pawtucket, RI to Grand Rapids, MI | $812 – $1,239 | 833 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Pawtucket, RI to Warren, MI | $767 – $1,060 | 706 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Pawtucket, RI to Sterling Heights, MI | $782 – $1,172 | 702 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Pawtucket, RI to Ann Arbor, MI | $761 – $1,093 | 746 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from East Providence, RI to Michigan
| From Rhode Island to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Providence, RI to Detroit, MI | $798 – $1,127 | 703 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| East Providence, RI to Grand Rapids, MI | $771 – $1,215 | 833 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| East Providence, RI to Warren, MI | $790 – $1,149 | 706 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| East Providence, RI to Sterling Heights, MI | $767 – $1,127 | 702 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| East Providence, RI to Ann Arbor, MI | $824 – $1,184 | 746 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Rhode Island to Michigan
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from Rhode Island to Michigan, the price usually falls between $1,023 and $1,635.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Rhode Island to Michigan
If you’re shipping a car from the Ocean State to the Wolverine State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- Type of transport: Common choices include open carriers, enclosed carriers, and top-loading. Open carriers are the least expensive, while enclosed shipping is better for classic or high-end cars. More details are available in our open vs. enclosed car shipping guide.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Michigan than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The route from Rhode Island to Michigan is about 892 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of Rhode Island more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Rhode Island and Michigan.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within two–seven days, but expedited options cost more.
Michigan vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Michigan, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take to get your vehicle registered and road-ready. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements to make your transition as smooth as possible.
- Car insurance requirements: Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
- Vehicle inspection: Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
- Driver’s license: Michigan law requires new residents to promptly title and register their vehicles, with no grace period provided. A person is considered a resident if they live in the state and prove their legal presence in the US. To comply with these requirements, new residents should visit a Secretary of State office to obtain a Michigan driver's license, title, and registration as soon as they establish residency.
- Additional taxes: In Michigan, a 6% sales tax is imposed on all vehicle purchases.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Rhode Island
More than 1.1 million people call Rhode Island home. Nicknamed the Ocean State. Rhode Island has warm summers and cold winters. The state's southern coastal portions have hot summers and cool winters with a mix of rain and snow.
Transporting your vehicle to Michigan
About 10.0 million people are living in the Wolverine State. Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Rhode Island and delivery in Michigan?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Rhode Island and when dropping it off in Michigan.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Rhode Island to Michigan?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Rhode Island to Michigan, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Michigan, which you should verify before loading your car in Rhode Island.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.
Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
How long does it take to ship a car from Rhode Island to Michigan?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Rhode Island to Michigan is about 892 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Rhode Island to Michigan.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.
Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
If I have a driver’s license in Rhode Island, will I need one in Michigan?
Michigan law requires new residents to promptly title and register their vehicles, with no grace period provided. A person is considered a resident if they live in the state and prove their legal presence in the US. To comply with these requirements, new residents should visit a Secretary of State office to obtain a Michigan driver's license, title, and registration as soon as they establish residency.
If I bought a car in Rhode Island, will I be required to pay sales tax in Michigan after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Rhode Island to Michigan after purchasing it.
In Michigan, a 6% sales tax is imposed on all vehicle purchases.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Rhode Island and Michigan to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Rhode Island to Michigan?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Rhode Island to Michigan is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Rhode Island to Michigan?
Shipping a car from Rhode Island to Michigan costs $818 to $1,308.
